Oldest tennis Grand Slam singles finalists (open era) – aggregate age

The all-conquering American sisters Venus Williams (b. 17 June 1980) and Serena Williams (b. 26 September 1981) had a combined age of 71 years 349 days when they faced each other in the final of the Australian Open at Melbourne Park on 28 January 2017. Venus was 36 years 225 days old, while younger sister Serena, who won the match 6–4, 6–4 to claim a 23rd Grand Slam singles title in her 29th major final, was 35 years 124 days old. No men's or women's Grand Slam final in the open era has featured two players with a greater aggregate age.

For the first time in the open era (since 1968), all four singles finalists at a Grand Slam tournament were aged 30 or over. The men's and women's finals at the 2017 Australian Open featured Venus Williams (USA), 36 years 225 days old; Roger Federer (Switzerland), 35 years 174 days old; Serena Williams (USA), 35 years 124 days old; and Rafael Nadal (Spain), 30 years 240 days old. Combined, the four finalists have won 62 Grand Slam titles (as of the end of the 2017 Australian Open) and spent 138 years 33 days on Earth!

At the start of the 2017 Australian Open, Serena Williams was tied with Steffi Graf (Germany) for the most Grand Slam singles titles won in the open era (since 1968) – 22. By winning the Australian Open, Serena is now on her own as the most decorated singles player in the open era (male or female), and is just one tournament victory away from equalling the all-time record set by Margaret Court (Australia), who won 24 Grand Slam titles in 1960–73.

Victory in Australia extended Serena's records as the oldest Grand Slam singles winner (female) and the oldest player ranked world number one (female). Venus, meanwhile, has appeared at more Slams than any other player – 73, stretching back to the French Open in 1997. She's missed only seven major tournaments in 20 years on the tennis circuit.